PARIS: Ligue 1 leaders Monaco had a man sent off in a frustrating 0-0 draw with visitors Lille on Friday.

Monaco top the standings on 20 points after six wins and two draws, three points ahead of champions Paris-Saint Germain.

The hosts had the upper hand in the first half and continued to push forward after the break but both Eliesse Ben Seghir and Takumi Minamino fired attempts narrowly above the bar just before the hour mark.

Monaco were reduced to 10 men in the 61st minute when defender Jordan Teze was sent off for a foul on Lille substitute Gabriel Gudmundsson.

Despite being outnumbered, Monaco continued to press for a winner with Maghnes Akliouche setting up Denis Zakaria but his injury-time strike was well-saved by goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier.

Monaco sorely missed American star Folarin Balogun who faces a long stretch on the sidelines with a shoulder injury.

“We lost two points this evening, but I saw a very good performance from our team,” said Monaco coach Adi Huetter. “We were the best side on the pitch and we deserved victory. We remain undefeated and it’s a good point for us.”

However, Friday was the first time this season that Monaco had failed to score. “Chevalier made a very good save and we must not forget that Monaco are still developing. We can’t always win. Our team is young.”

Huetter did admit there are concerns over striker Breel Embolo, who has yet to find the net, with his team are next in action on Tuesday at home to Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League.

Lille, who came into the game on the back of league wins over Le Havre and Toulouse either side of their 1-0 Champions League home victory over Real Madrid, are fourth with 14 points.

However, coach Bruno Genesio hit out at his team, claiming “nothing worked” and the players “did not do what was expected”.

“I pity the TV viewers,” said Genesio. “We salvaged a point thanks to Lucas Chevalier. This is not what I want to see from my team. I do not want to exaggerate, but I think that there are sometimes defeats which are more encouraging than this.”

Lille next go to Spain on Wednesday to face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2024